§ 18. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the increase in National Health Service beds following the abolition of the first 1,000 pay beds in National Health Service hospitals.
§ Mr. MoyleStrictly speaking, it is not a pay bed which is abolished but authorisations to admit paying patients to NHS beds in particular hospitals. Since admissions are generally low in relation to the number of authorisations, there is not likely to have been any immediate widespread effect. Further withdrawal of authorisations leading to fewer private patients will release resources, especially staff, for general NHS use.
§ 33. Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many additional beds are expected to become available for National Health Service patients as a result of the phasing out of pay-beds in National Health Service hospitals.
§ Mr. MoyleI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) earlier today.